Land surfacing device



Dec. 12, 1933. NELSON 1,939,460

LAND SURFACING DEVICE Filed Feb. 27. 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet l v V a Dec. 12, 1933. s. B. NELSON LAND SURFACING DEVICE Filed Feb. 27, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 27. 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jaye/Z57 kg 660/ eifc/ Z e/da/a J M ag;

Dec. 12, 1933. a. B. NELSON LAND SURFACING DEVICE Filed Feb. 27. 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 6601 945? flebom Patented Dec. 12, 1933 UNITED s'rArEs PATENT OFFICE LAND SURFACING DEVICE George B. Nelson, Redfield, Iowa Application February 27, 1930. Serial No, 431,677 Claims- (01. 55-21 The present invention relates to land surfacing devices and more in particular'to farm implements or the like for conditioning and working farm land. 5 Among the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel mechanism or device having a plurality of individual land surfacing means in which certain of said means when manipulated, are adapted to swing either inwardly or width, as desired. I

The invention comprehends the idea of providing a land surfacing device having auxiliary land surfacing means normally adapted to be connected to a main land surfacing means, and laterally thereof, but which means may be swung into a trailing position to the rear of said main surfacing means when, for any reason, it may be desired to provide a device of less width. Normally, and when the device is in operation for surfacing land or the like, the auxiliary surfacing means is connected with and laterally of the main surfacing means. r

The main surfacing means is of a width which or to permit the movement of the same along a highway, or road, without obstructing or interfering with the passage of vehicles thereby. In

operation of the same, however, the auxiliary surfacing means are normally extending laterally of the main surfacing means for conditioning a larger area than would be possible werethe same operated with the main surfacing means only. Novel means are provided for operatively connecting the auxiliary surfacing means to the main surfacing means for normally operating the de-.

vice, this means, however, permitting the auxiliary surfacing means to swing into a trailing position behind the main surfacing means, the width of the same not being greater than the width' of the main surfacing means. The device may then pass through an ordinary farm gate or may be pulled along a highway or roadway without obstructing passage of vehicles thereby.

Another object of the invention is to provide.

outwardly to provide a device of greater or less will'permit the same to pass, with sufl'icient clearance through an ordinary farm gate'or the like,

which will not only permitof the above operation, but which is likewise adapted, upon move-. ment of the main surfacing means, and with a minimum of turning of the auxiliary surfacing means, to again connect the same in normal operative position and laterally of the main surfacing means, after the device has passed through a gate or the like, or along a highway or roadway.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel construction in a'surfacing means, such as a land rolling device, in which the tongue thereof may be used as a drawing means when the device is'either horse or tractor drawn. When the device is drawn by tractor, the tongue thereof should be sufficientlylow to provide a suitable hitch with the tractor, yet for the same to be adapted for a'team of horses, it is necessary that this tongue be higher. Means are therefore pro- 7 Vided whereby this tongue'may have the necessary adjustability and which may be raised or lowered for positioning the same at any desired height for either of these purposes.

Means are further provided at or adjacent the forward end of the tongue whereby a harrow or any other suitable device may be connected thereto and be moved with the surfacing means and forwardly thereof, when the. device .is tractor A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel surfacing device, as for example, a land rolling device, having a frame with rolling elements mounted therein, in which the means for drawing the device are connected to the frame thereof in substantially a horizontal plane pass-v ing through the center line of the rolling ele ments. By providing a connection which is substantially in a horizontal plane passing through the center of the rolling elements, there is no tendency of therolling elements to dig into the surface of the ground and to pull the tongue ordrawing means downwardly whichwould be objectionable were-the device being drawn by horses.' 7 r The invention, further comprehends the idea of providing a novel tongue supporting means, which means is suitably mounted in the framework of the main surfacing means and. with which the device. Means are further provided at the 110 forward endof the tongue and are connected to the frame in substantially or slightly above the horizontal plane passing through the center line of the rolling elements.

Other objects, features, capabilities and advantagesare comprehended by the invention as will later appear and as are inherently possessed thereby.

Referring tothe drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of an embodiment selected to illustrate the novel invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross sectional view taken in a plane represented by line 2-2 of Fig. 8 of the drawings.

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross sectionalview taken in'a plane represented by line 3-3 of Fig. 1 of the drawings. i

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of the embodiment disclosed in Fig. 1 of the drawings. H

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view taken in a plane represented by line 5-5 in Fig. 101' the drawings and disclosing in detail the construction of the" tongue and supporting means therefor.

Fig.8 is a fragmentaryvertical view in elevation taken'in a plane represented'by line 66 of Fig. 1 0! the drawings. 7

Figs. 7- to 10 inclusive are views illustrating the various positions of the auxiliary surfacing means, shown in the embodiment disclosed in Fig. lfof the drawings, when'the same are being placed laterally'of or trailing the main surfacing means.

Referring now more in particular to the draw- '-ings, the embodiment selectedto disclose the invention is shown ascomprisinga land rolling device havinga mainrolling means 1 to which are" connected auxiliary rolling means 2 and 3 of simiv lar construction, and which are adapted, when normally in their operative position as shown in Fig. 1, to move over an area' of ground to be worked or conditioned laterally of that over'which the main rollingmeans passes, butwhi'ch, may, by

manipulation of the means (to be hereinafter, more fully disclosed) connecting thesame with the main rolling means, be swung into a trailing position as shown in Fig.3 of the drawingsrfor a purpose more clearly disclosed in the succeeding paragraphs.

The main rolling means l comprises an elongated frame 4 having side pieces or members 5 and'6, and end piecesfor members? and, 8' of structural steeL-Wood 'or any other suitable material, connected'together, as by means of bolts,

='-rivets orthe like to provide a rigid frame, to

the end members 7 and 8 of which are mounted or connected bearings, such as 9, by means of bolts 10 or the like. In these bearings are mounted the endsofa shaft 11 upon which are' rotatably mounted a-pl'urality of "rolling elements 12, these elements being adapted to move over the surface.

of theground upon movement 'of' the device. A tongue 13 (to be hereinafter more fully disclosed) is 'suitably connected to the frame ,4 for con- ''necting the same to atractor or to provide means wherebythe device maybe drawn'by'a team of horses.

The frame 4*of the main rolling means may be of any'desiredlength, 'but'pre ferably about'12 to 14 feet, such thatthe same may, with sufficient clearance, passthrough the ordinary farm gate. Inorder that the'devifcemay condition andprepare a greater area than could be worked by the main rolling means, the auxiliary rolling means lines in Fig. 7 of the drawings.

'which hole, when the bar are constructed similarly to the main rolling means or unit, the same having a frame 14 of any suitable material, this frame having side members 15 and 16, and end members 17 and 18 connected together by bolts, rivets or the like to provide a rigid construction. Similarly to the main frame, bearings, such as 19, are mounted or secured to the end members 17 and 18 in which are journaled the ends of a shaft 20 having rolling elements 21 rotatably mounted thereon.

Each of theseauxiliary rolling means or units is provided with a forwardly extending tongue or draw-bar 22,'the same having an end bent to contact the angular frame 15 and being secured thereto by rivets 23 and 24 or the like. Diagonal braces25 and 26 are'further' provided and are connected adjacent the forward end of the tongue 22 and to the frame 15 to reinforce and strengthen the tongue connection with the frame.

The forward endof thisbar ortongue is provided with a bolt hole or aperture 27 adapted to register with a similar hole 28 in a bar or link 29 and with another hole 30 of' a bent plate 31 spaced from said bar or link and secured thereto by rivets 32 or the like. A pin 33, bolt'or similar means is provided for pivotally connecting each of the tongues 22 to the bars orlinks29.

A bar or link 29 is provided at each end of the frame of'the main' rolling means or unit and is adapted to extend laterally beyond the same and to provide a connecting means whereby thereis a small amount of overlapping of the rolling means of the auxiliary units with that of the main unit. Each'of these bars '29 has an end pivoted to the side frame [membersd by means 'of' a bolt 34 or thelik'e, which bolt passes'through a hole in a lug member35secured to the frame and a similar hoie'inthe frame 6, a bolt hole in the member 29 registering with these holes and through which the'bolt passes. 'The member 29 is held in the position'as'shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings by means or units to swing into the position as, shown in Fig."'8 }'to permit the passage of the device through a gate or todraw the same along ahighway or roadway, the pin '41 at both sides of the device is 're OYed at which time the bars 29 will pivotrearwardly, upon afurther movement of the main rolling unit, to the position shown in full Each of the bars 29 is further provided with another hole 42,

29 is in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 7 of the drawings, is

adapted to register with a hole 43 of the bar or tongue 22 and the hole 44 of a bent or crimped plate 45 securedby means of rivet 24 to the frame 15of the auxiliary? unit andtongue 22.' The removable pin or bolt'41 may then be inserted through these aligned holes'so that, upon further forward movement of the device, each of the auxiliary units 2 and3 will swing inwardly to the or when it is again desired to bring the auxiliary units from the trailing position as shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings, into the position shown in Fig.

1 of the drawings, the device is stopped, the pins 1 41 are removed from the aligned holes 44, 42 and 43, and the inside corners 48 of the auxiliary rolling means or units 2 and 3' are pulled rearwardly a slight amount to turn or move the same to the position shown in dotted lines of Fig. 9 of the drawings and to swing therear end of the bars 29 inwardly. The pins 41 are then inserted into the hole 42 so that the ends thereof will pass between the inner braces 26 of each of the sections and the tongue 22 thereof. The main rolling, means or unit 1 is then backed or moved rearwardly until these auxiliary units are spaced apart about or substantially a distance equal to the width of the main rolling means or unit, as shown in full lines in Fig. 9 of the'drawings. The device is then stopped, the pins 41 removed from the holes 42, and a slight pull exerted against the outer corners 49 of the auxiliary units 2 and 3 to turn the same inwardly a small amount and to swing the rear end of the bars 29 outward- 'ly past the center and longitudinal axis of the tongue or draw bar 22, as shown in full lines in Fig. 10' of the drawings. Upon a rearward movement of the device, the auxiliary units 2 and 3 and the bar 29 will assume intermediate positions as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 10 of the drawings.

The links or bars 36 are removed from their respective bracket or lug 47 to a position as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 10 of the drawings, in-

' which position the holes 3'? and 38 therein will register with hole 40 of each of the bars 29 upon a further rearward movement of the main rolling unit 1. When these holes have registered, the pin 41 is inserted therethrough to lock or hitch the auxiliary rolling units to the main rolling units in the position shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings and laterally thereof. When the device is in the position as shown in this figure of the drawings, the same is in its normal operative position and may be used for further conditioning or preparation of the farm lands.

The tongue 13, providing means for drawing the main and auxiliary rolling units, is shown as being formed of an elongated member 50 preferably of wood, although any other material may be used in the construction thereof. This member 50 is reinforced by means of a plate 51 having a toppart 52 and a bottom part 53' extending along the tongue 13 and being secured thereto by means of bolts, rivets or the like 54. This plate 51 is bent upon itself to provide an end part 54 adapted to receive a ring or the like of a neck yoke, when the device is being drawn by horses, this end being further bent upon itself to provide a downwardly extending part 56 which acts as a stop for the neck yoke. The end part 54 is further provided with a hole or aperture for receiving a cable, hook, or the like and for securing the device to a tractor or other prime mover. Hooks 57 and 58 are secured to the sides of the tongue 13 and hook 59 is secured to the bottom and at the forward ends thereof for purposes to be hereinafter disclosed.

Therear end of the tongue is further reinforced by a top plate 60 to which is secured a bent plate 61 by means, of a rivet 62 or the like, between which and the tongue 13 is carried a crossbar to which whifiletrees are secured, a bolt or the like passing through a hole therein adapted to register with holes 63 and 64 ofthe plate 61 and tongue l3, respectively.- The rear end of this tongue 13 is carried or mounted by means of bolts 65 to a' tongue support or carriage 66 mounted in the frame 4 of the main roller section or unit.

This support comprises spaced elongated side members 67 and 68 adapted to receive the tongue 13, the rear ends thereof being pivotally mounted by means of bolts 69 or the like, to the sides of an inverted U -shap ed bracket or lug 70 suitably connected to the rear frame member 6, while the forward end of these side membersare connected to lug angles 71 which are secured to the top sur-. face of an angular bracket member 72. Secured to the forward frame member 5 is an inverted U-shaped bracket or lug 73 of similar construction to the bracket 70, the same having vertical sides adapted to guide the members 67 and 68 as these members are raised and lowered about their pivot points. Straps 74 and 75 having their ends secured to the frame members pass over the top of these U-shaped brackets 70 and 73, respectively, for reinforcing these brackets in a lateral direction, while a strap 76 connects these brackets to reinforce the same in a forward and rearward direction. r 1 r This strap 76 is connected to the bracket 70 by means of a bolt 77 or the like, this bolt passing through aligned openings or holes therein and in the strap 74 and the top part of the U-shaped bracket 70. The forward end of this strap 76, is provided with a hole or opening adapted to register with similar holes in the strap 75 and the top plate of the U-shaped bracket 73, through 120, which extends a bolt 78 or the like, having a lock nut 79, and the end of which threadedly engages a cross-head or block 80 mounted in the members 67 and 68. When it is desired to raise or lower the tongue 13, the bolt 78 may be turned 125 in the cross head 80 for movement of the tongue support about its pivot points in the U-shaped bracket 70. The adjustability of this tongue is very desirable in order that the device may either be drawn by horses or tractor, or the like. When 130 the tongue is in a lowered position, the same is adapted to be connected to a tractor or other prime mover, but when it is'desired to draw the device with horses, it is necessary that this tongue 13 be raised from its former position.

Diagonal links or bars 81 and 82 are pivotally connected to the downwardly extending legs 83 of the bracket 72 and are likewise pivotally connected between the lug angles 84 and 85 secured adjacent the ends of the frame member 5, these bars or links being adapted to transmit a large part of the force applied to the tongue 13 to the outer ends of the frame of the main roller unit.

Tension cables 86 or the like are connected to each of the hooks 57 and 58 and are connected to and adjacent the ends of the frame member 5 and forwardly of the bearings 9 of the main rolling means. Turn buckles 87 are provided for taking up any slack in these cables 86. These cables are applied when the device is to a plane substantially passing through the'center line of the shaft 11, and rolling elements 12. This construction is of importance in a device of this character, inasmuch as there is substantially no moment or force being applied to the main frame which would act through any great distance and which would have a tendency to cause the rolling elements thereof to dig into the ground. Any digging of the rolling elements into the ground is substantially eliminated and there is, therefore, no downward movement-of 26: connected to the hook 59 at the forward end of the tongue, which movement is objectionable when the device is being horse drawn.

When the'device is to be drawn by tractor, a harrow or any other similar device, may be thetongue 13 and forwardly of the main rolling means or section.

While I herein describeand upon the drawings show an illustrative embodiment of the inven- 30- ltion, it is tobe understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but may comprehend other constructions, arrangements of parts, details and features without departing from the spirit of the invention.

351.; Having thus disclosed the invention, I claim:

1. In a land surfacing device having a frame and surfacing means mounted therein, a tongue support pivotally mounted-in said frame, laterally extending brace members extending there-'- dfl'ifrom and connected to said frame, a tongue mounted in said support, flexible adjustable means connected to the forward end of said tongue and to said frame, and means for raising and'lowering said tongue and support.-

2. In a land surfacing device, a main surfacing means mounted in a frame, an arm member pivoted to said frame and adapted to project laterally therefrom, another arm member pivotally connected'to said frame, means for connecting the ends of said members together to hold said first member in said laterally projected position,- an auxiliary surfacing means connected intermediate the ends of said first member and laterally of said main surfacing means, and means for connecting the end of said first member to said auxiliary surfacing meanswhen said member is in a trailing position.

3. In a land surfacing device, a main surfacing means mounted in a frame, an arm pivotally connected to said frame and adapted to extend laterally therefrom, an auxiliary surfacing means connected intermediate the ends of 'said arm, and means for connecting the outer end of said arm to said auxiliary surfacing means when said arm is in a trailing position.

4. In a land surfacing device, a main surfacing means mounted in a frame, an arm pivotally connected to said frame and adapted to extend laterally therefrom, an auxiliary surfacing means connected to said arm, and means for locking said arm and auxiliary surfacing means together whereby the same move together when said arm is in a trailing position.

5. In a land surfacing device, a main surfacing means mou'nted in a frame, an arm pivoted to said frame and adapted to project laterally therefrom, an auxiliary surfacing means having a forwardly extending draft member connected intermediate the ends of said arm, said arm having an opening at the outer end thereof adapted to register when in a trailing position with openings on said draft member, and means engaging in said'alignedopenings for locking said auxiliary surfacing means and arm together.

GEORGE B. NELSON. 

